Educational toy



C. T. GILBERT EDUCATIONAL TOY Aug. 10, 1954 2,685,748

Filed April- 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l B 4 2 2O FIG. 3 22 I 6 :1 IINVENTOR a 3 CHARLES T. GlLBERT Fla. 2 x

ATTORNEY Aug. 10, 1954 c. T. GILBERT 2,585,743

I EDUCATIONAL TOY Filed April 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8 5| soINVENTOR CHARLES T; GILBERT ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE EDUCATIONAL TOY Charles T. Gilbert, Saginaw, Mich.

Application April 14, 1952, Serial No. 282,098

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to childrens toys and more particularly to aneducational toy designed for use by children of primary school age tofacilitate their understanding of addition and subtraction.

My invention is designed to provide a toy which may be manipulated bythe child to indicate the sum of two added numbers or to indicate theremainder of two subtracted numbers. Further, my invention is designedto provide means whereby one of the numbers selected for the addition orsubtraction may be mounted on the toy as a means of keeping the childsattention fixed on that particular value and thereafter by manipulationof the toy the result of adding or subtracting that particular numberfrom one of a series of different numbers will be automaticallyindicated to the child. The toy is so designed that initially an adultmay set the toy in a fashion to produce the desired results when addingor subtracting and as the child progresses the child may learn to makethe proper settings of the toy to produce the desired addition orsubtraction.

The toy is designed to be simple in operation and to have suiiicientanimated characteristics to retain the childs attention and interest. Inaddition, the toy is designed to facilitate its handling by a child.

These and other objects and purposes of my invention may be readily seenby those ac" quainted with the design and manufacture of childrenseducational toys upon reading the following specification and theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an oblique view of my toy.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of my toy taken along the plane 11-11 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of my toy with the movable member set in thesame position as that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View of the indicator band for my toy takenalong the plane IVIV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of one end of the indicatorband for my toy.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI ofFigure 1.

Figure 7 is an oblique view of a modified form of my toy.

Figure 8 is an oblique view of a modified design for the indicator bandfor my toy.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, exploded, oblique view of the modified designshown in Figure 8.

In executing the objects and purposes of my invention, I have provided apair of side rails securely held together on each end by a cen trallyapertured block or standard. Between the side rails, a central member isslidably mounted to pass through the apertures in each of the endmembers. On one face, the central member is provided with suitablenumerical indicia and on the other face one of the side rails isprovided with similar numerical indicia. An indicator band encirclesboth the side rails and the slidable member and is provided with meansfor simultaneously indicating selected indicia on both the centralmember and the marked side rail. Means are provided on the indicatorband for mounting a removable tab having impressed thereon a selectednumeral to form the basis of the problems to be worked out bymanipulation of the indicator band together with the central slidablemember.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numerals I and 2 indicate apair of side rails each having an inwardly projecting tongue 3 (Figure2). At each end, the side rails are rigidly secured together by astandard or end block 4. For further strength and rigidity, the endblocks i are transversely slotted l to receive the ends of the siderails I and 2. The side rails I and 2 are secured to the end blocks 4 bysuitable joining means such as glue or screws or both. The end blocksare each centrally apertured at 5 and extend substantially above andbelow the side rails I and 2 whereby, when placed upon a surface, theend blocks will space the side rails well above that surface forpurposes which will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Between the side rails there is slidably mounted a central rail 6 havingon each side a groove 8 of such size and shape as to suitably receiveone of the tongues 3. The central rail 6 has a length equal to theoverall length of the toy. The side rails I and 2 and the central rail 6are each of square or rectangular construction. The apertures 5 in theend blocks 4 are each of square or rectangular shape to permit thecentral rail 6 to slide therethrough without interference in eitherdirection. The central rail 6 is held in sufiicient frictional bearingwith the side rail 2 to prevent accidental displacement by the springloaded detent 9 (Figure 6).

The end rail 2 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced numericalindicia such as the numbers 1 through 10 starting at one end of the toyand extending along the toy for between onehalf and two-thirds of itslength. These numbers are indicated in Figure 1 by the letter A. Thecentral rail 6 is provided with similar numerical indicia indicated bythe letter B (Figure 3) having the identical spacing as the indicia Abut extending the entire length of the central rail 6. There are twiceas many indicia on the central rail 6 as there are on the side rail 2.

Slidably mounted about and encircling the side rails l and 2 and thecentral rail 8, as a group, is an indicator band Ill. The outer face ofthe side rail I is provided with a pair of parallel grooves ll intowhich is received one of each of the inturned ends M of the indicatorband H). The indicator band II] has a pair of apertures therethrough I2and 13. The aperture i2 is arranged to align with the numerals A on theside rail 2. The aperture 23 is arranged to align with the numerals B onthe center rail 6. Each of the apertures i2 and i3 is of such size thatonly one of the numerals A or B may be seen through the aperture at onetime. The apertures I2 and 13 are aligned transversely of the toy.

On that portion of the indicator band l0 overlying the side rail l andon the same face of the indicator band as the aperture l2, there isprovided an indicator element for displaying a selected numeral (Figures1,- 4 and 5). This numeral will form one of the components of a seriesof problems. The numerals C are applied to a circular disc 2! Thecircular disc E-Ii has a large, central opening for receiving the dimple2! in the center or" the circular cover 22. The cover 22 is secured tothe indicator band it by means of a screw 23. The bearing between thedimple 2i and the indicator band it) holds the cover 22 against rotationWhile the disc 2% is free for rotation. The parts should be so made thatthe disc may be readily turned but may not turn without theaid of anoperator. The disc 28 has an aperture 24 of such size and arrangementthat it will frame one of the numerals C, the selection of the numeral Cbeing changed by rotation of the disc. The disc is shown with thenumerals l to 9. Another range of numerals may be desired. In thisevent, the cover 22 is removed by removal of the screw 23. The disc maythen he replaced with another disc bearing the desired range ofnumerals.

It will be recognized that the arrangement of the above parts may bereversed, i. e., the disc 23 made stationary and the cover 22 made torotate.

It is possible to replace the disc and cover arrangement with a seriesof insert plates. When this is done, three upwardly extending fingers atare punched out of the indicator band if! (Figures 8 and 9). The upperends of each of the fingers 30 are bent over parallel to the top face ofthe indicator band. The fingers 33 are arranged to receive therebetweenone of a group of insert plates 3!. The insert plates 3! are designed tobe readily removable merely by withdrawing them from under thefingersSii. A plurality of insert plates are used, each having thereon asingle numeral indicated as C.

The various parts of my invention may be made from any suitable materialsuch as Wood, plastic or metal depending upon cost, durability and thetype of appearance desired. The finish given to my invention will dependin part upon the materials used for its manufacture.

Operation My invention may be used to either add or subtract twonumbers. One of the numbers involved in the addition or subtraction willappear one of the numbers A or B. The other number will be the indicia Cappearing through the aperture is in the cover 22. The operation of myinvention may best be described by the use of an example. If the number4 is selected as one of the two numbers to be used in the addition orsubtraction process, the disc 20 is rotated to frame the numeral 4 inthe aperture of the cover 22. The toy is then inverted and the centralrail 6 moved to the left until the nu meral l of the indicia B isimmediately adiacent the left-hand end block 4 (Figure 3). For

the purpose of addition, the toy is then returned to its initialposition and the indicator slide ill adjusted so that the selected oneof the indicia A to which it is desired to add the numeral 4 appearsthrough the aperture l2. In the illustration, the numbers 4 and 5 are tobe added. Thus, the indicator slide it) is moved until the numeral 5appears in the center of the aperture i2 (Figure l). The toy is theninverted and the answer resulting from the addition of the numerals 4and 5 appears in the aperture 13 (Figure 3), through which the indicia Bmay be read. j

If it is desired to perform a subtraction, the figure from which thenumber C, appearing through the aperture 2% is to be subtracted, isselected on the indicia B and the slide indicator it moved until thisdesired numeral appears through the aperture iii. The toy is then placedright-side-up and the remainder from this subtraction will appearthrough th aperture 52. Thus, if 4 is to be subtracted from 9 theremainder 5 will appear in the aperture i2. Once a particular number hasbeen selected and thereby indicated by the disc 2%, that number may beadded to any one of the number appearing as the indicia A merely bymoving the slide indicator #0 to show the selected number through theaperture i2. Automatically the sum of the two numbers will appear in theaperture i 3. The same is true if subtraction is carried out.

When the insert plate 31 is used instead of the disc and coverarrangement, the insert plate 3! bearing the desired numeral is selectedand inserted between the fingers 30. Except for this, the use of the toyremains the same as when the disc and cover are used.

The end blocks 3, by reason of their size and shape, provide legs forthe toy. They hold the side rails l and 2, central rail 5 and indicatorband It well above the surface of a desk or table. Thus, the child maymanipulate the toy Without interference. Further, the legs hold the toysecured in position so that the childs attention will not be distractedfrom the problems being worked out on the toy.

Whenever it is desired to change the basi number selected for the seriesof problems, such as to change from number a to number 5, the disc 28 isrotated to align the newly selected number with the aperture 24. If theinsert plate arrangement is used, the insert plate 3! bearing the number4 is removed and replaced by the insert plate 3! bearings the number 5.At the same time, the central rail 3 is adjusted to the left or to theright, as may be necessary, to place the newly selected number of theindicia C immediately adjacent the left end block 3. It Will berecognized that the total number of indicia B must be sufiicientlygreater than that of the indicia A to reflect the sum of the largestnumber indicated by the indicia A plus the largest number indicated bythe indicia C. Although my invention is shown with indicia A embracingthe numbers 1 through 10 and the indicia B embracing the numbers 1through 26, indicating that the indicia C embraces the numbers 1 through10, it will be recognized that this is merely a convenient selection ofnumerical range and that any greater or lesser range of numbers may beselected. For this purpose the numbers may start at a higher range than1.

To enable my toy to be flexible enough to meet progressive demands forhigher numbers, it may be made with a removable cover on the side rail 2and the center rail 6 whereby one strip of numbers may be replaced by astrip of different numbers. To this end, both the side rail 2 and thecenter rail 6 are made slightly thinner and are equipped with areplaceable facing strip 49 bearing the desired numerals (Figure 7) Thefacing strip may be mounted by any suitable attachment means such as byscrews 41. This ma :es my invention flexible to present and solveincreasingly more complex number combinations as the children throughthe use of the toy become familiar with the processes or" addition andsubtraction.

It will be recognized that the indicia on the side rail 2 and on thecentral rail 6 may both be arranged to be read from the same face of thetoy. If this is done, the apertures 12 and i3 will be adjacent eachother. The arrangement illustrated is preferred, however, because thenecessity for inverting the toy increases its attractiveness forchildren. It provides a certain amount of anticipation and increases theanimation since it involves the physical effort of inversion. It willalso be recognized that I have described but two particular mechanicalarrangements for presenting and changing the indicia C and that othersmay be utilized without departing from the principle of my invention.

Various modifications of my invention may be made, each withoutdeparting from the principle thereof. Each of these modifications is tobe considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unlessthese claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In an educational toy, the combination including: a pair of spacedside rails; a pair of end members, one rigidly mounted at each of theends of said pair of side rails; a central rail slidably mounted betweensaid side rails; a plurality of equally spaced numerals on one face ofone of said side rails; a plurality of equally spaced numerals on oneface of said central rail, said nu. merals on said one side rail andsaid numerals on said central rail each being spaced the same distance;an indicator band slidably mounted on said side rails and overlying saidcentral rail; a pair of apertures in said indicator hand, one alignedwith the numerals on said one side rail and the other aligned with thenumerals on said central rail; each of said apertures being of a size toframe a single number; an indicator element bearing numerical indicia;means for movably mounting said indicator element on said indicator bandwhereby the number displayed by said indicator element may be changed;said indicator element displaying a number equal to the numericaldifference between the number on said one side rail and the number onsaid central rail framed by the apertures in said indicator band when anumber on said central rail of value equal to that of the numberdisplayed by said indicator element is immediately adjacent the one ofsaid end members proximate to the smallest numerals of said central railand of said one side rail.

2. An educational toy as described in claim 1 wherein said numbers onsaid one side rail are on the face of said side rail opposite from theface of said central rail bearing said numbers.

3. In an educational toy, the combination including: a pair of spacedside rails; a pair of centrally apertured end members, one rigidlymounted at each of the ends of said pair of side rails; said end membersbeing substantially square, said side rails and said end memberstogether forming a generally H-shaped unit; a central rail slidablymounted between said side rails and movable through the aperture in eachof said end members; a plurality of equally spaced numerals on one faceof one of said side rails; a plurality of equally spaced numerals on oneface of said central rail, said numerals on said one side rail and saidnumerals on said central rail each being spaced the same distance; anindicator band slidably mounted on said side rails and overlying saidcentral rail; a pair of apertures in said indicator hand, one alignedwith the numerals on said one side rail and the other aligned with thenumerals on said central rail; each of said apertures being of a size toframe a single number; a disc rotatably mounted on said indicator band;a stationary cover overlying said disc; a plurality of numerical indiciaon said disc; an aperture in said cover adapted to successively andindividually frame each of said numerical indicia as said disc isrotated. said aperture in said cover framing a number equal to thenumerical difference between the number on said one side rail and thenumber on said central rail framed by the apertures in said indicatorband when a number on said central rail of value equal to that of thenumber framed by said aperture in said cover is immediately adjacent theone of said end members proximate to the smallest numerals of saidcentral rail and of said one side rail.

4. In an educational toy, the combination including: a pair of spacedside rails; a pair of centrally apertured end members, one rigidlymounted at each of the ends of said pair of side rails; a central railslidably mounted between said side rails; a plurality of equally spacednumerals on one face of one of said side rails; a plurality of equallyspaced numerals on one face of said central rail, said numerals on saidone side rail and said numerals on said central rail each being spacedthe same distance; an indicator band slidably mounted on said side railsand overlying said central rail; a pair of apertures in said indicatorband, one aligned with the numerals on said one side rail and the otheraligned with the numerals on said central rail; each of said aperturesbeing of a size to frame a single number; a removable insert plate;means on said indicator band to detachably hold said insert plate; saidinsert plate bearing a number equal to the numerical diiference betweenthe number on said one side rail and the number on said central railframed by the apertures in said indicator band when a number on saidcenequal to that of the number on said insert plate is immediatelyadjacent the one of said end members proximate to the smallest numeralsof said central rail and said one side rail.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 973,905 Alexander Oct. 25, 1910 1,165,058 Behan Dec. 21, 19152,422,421 Kaufman June 17, 1947 2,469,221 Adiletta May 3, 1949 2,491,650Eckel Dec. 20, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 961,545 FranceNov. 21, 1949

